SHAHIN ABBASOV: AZERBAIJAN WILL GET COMPELLED TO GO ON WITH ITS BALANCED MILITARY AND FOREIGN POLICY
Milaz.info
d=3986
Aug 27 2009
Milaz regularly interviews local experts on several pressing issues,
particularly matters concerning Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation. Interview
with Shahin Abbasov, an independent expert based in Azerbaijan,
is below:
– How do you estimate the current level of cooperation between
Azerbaijan NATO?
– The cooperation between Azerbaijan and NATO would have been much
higher. Azerbaijan falls back in reforms to bring the national army
into line with the NATO standards.
– Do you think Azerbaijan fulfils military and political reforms
specified in cooperation plans agreed with NATO?
– Yes, it does. However, this process is proceeding slowly.
– Today, Azerbaijani officials state that the country is pursuing a
well-balanced policy. Can we say this policy is really balanced?
– As compared to Georgia and Armenia, the Government of Azerbaijan
pursues a more balanced policy.
– How do you see Azerbaijan’s recent inclination to military-technical
cooperation with Russia? Do you think this is in line with the
country’s military-political and economic priorities?
– No, it isn’t. But, through this technique, Azerbaijan tries to make
Russia’s position on Nagorno Karabakh conflict more balanced.
– Azerbaijan’s Military Doctrine and Defence Outline have not been
adopted yet. What do you think delays these?
– It is hard to say.
– NATO’s new secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen crossed out the
probability of Georgia and Ukraine’s soon membership. He is going to
mainly focus on relations with Russia and situation in Afghanistan. How
do you foresee Azerbaijan in this policy?
– Azerbaijan will get compelled to go on with its balanced military
and foreign policy.
– How do you think the prospect of Gabala Radar will be? Do you have
outlook for the period after 2012 when the current lease expires. Who
will use this radar?
– I think Russia will continue to use it.
b>How difficult do you think it is for journalists to get information
about the military in Azerbaijan?
– Still, it is difficult.